Some basic facts about Academic Decathlon

The United States Academic Decathlon was established in 1981, and has since grown to national prominence as the first and most comprehensive program to promote and recognize academic achievement for all students. More than 1 million students have enriched their lives through participating.

As part of the national and state programs, the Contra Costa County Academic Decathlon is a competitive event for high school students aimed at encouraging and honoring scholastic accomplishments. The students compete as individuals and teams in a series of 10 academic tests and demonstrations, including: art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, essay, interview, speech (prepared and impromptu) and SuperQuiz (a team-relay event).

A complete team consists of nine full-time students, grades 9-12, with a maximum of three students in each of the following divisions:

Honors (3.75 - 4.0 GPA)

Scholastic (3.0 - 3.74 GPA)

Varsity (2.99 GPA and below)

Contestants may compete in a higher division than their own GPA, but not in a lower division. All team members participate in all 10 events. Only six scores count for the final team standing in the competition -- the top two Honors scores, the top two Scholastic scores and the top two Varsity scores. Therefore, schools may enter with fewer than nine members and still be eligible for team awards as long as there are at least two Honor, Scholastic and Varsity members.

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Schools may enter a maximum of two teams.

Note: Campolindo, Acalanes and Miramonte high schools have been the only Contra Costa winners since the 1994-1995 school year, when a De La Salle High team won.